Double Sovereign Coins and British Monarchy

Double sovereign coins have a rich history tied to the British monarchy. The first Double Sovereign coin was minted in 1820 to commemorate the coronation of King George IV.

The monarch's image has been a consistent feature on Double Sovereign coins, with each ruler's portrait appearing on the coin. The portrait of Queen Victoria, for example, was featured on the coin from 1837 to 1901.

Double Sovereign coins have been minted in various metals over the years, including gold and silver. The 1820 Double Sovereign coin, for instance, was made from gold.

The first Double Sovereigns were double-weight piedfort versions of the 15.55 gram gold Sovereigns introduced during the reign of King Henry VII.

These extremely rare hammered coins were probably presented to important people rather than being released into circulation.

The first modern milled Double Sovereigns were issued in 1820.

Double Sovereigns were sporadically struck through the nineteenth century, often in small numbers, making Georgian and Victorian examples particularly collectible.

In the twentieth century, Double Sovereigns formed part of coronation proof sets.

They have been struck regularly since 1980, generally being offered only in three-coin, four-coin and five-coin Sovereign sets.

The Royal Mint has begun to offer bullion Double Sovereigns, designed for investors.

Double Sovereigns have been struck to the same strict set of specifications for the last two hundred years.

Each Double Sovereign is composed of 15.98 grams of 22 carat gold, which equates to 14.85 grams or 0.4708 troy ounces of pure gold.

Double Sovereigns are thicker and larger than their smaller cousin, the 'full' Sovereign, boasting a diameter of 28.40 millimetres.

The reverse design of Double Sovereigns is instantly recognisable and features Benedetto Pistrucci's classic image of Saint George, caught in the act of slaying a dragon.

The image of Saint George is paired with the current royal portrait, and the earliest Double Sovereigns showed the profile of George III.

A Double Sovereign is made of 15.98 grams of 22 carat gold.

Each Double Sovereign contains a pure gold weight of 14.85 grams or .4708 troy ounces of pure gold.

Double Sovereigns offer twice the amount of gold as their smaller cousin, the 'full' Sovereign.

Double Sovereigns are thicker and larger, boasting a diameter of 28.40 millimetres.

British Designs are instantly recognisable thanks to their distinctive specifications and classic reverse design.

The majority of British Double Sovereigns feature Benedetto Pistrucci's iconic image of Saint George slaying a dragon on the reverse side, which has been used with only a few exceptions.

This engraving was originally created for the first modern 'full' Sovereigns and has been a staple on Double Sovereigns ever since.

Traditionally, the image of Saint George is paired with the current royal portrait, showcasing the monarch's likeness on the obverse side.

The earliest Double Sovereigns showed the profile of George III, while modern Double Sovereigns have featured a succession of effigies of Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the legend 'ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · FID · DEF ·'.

The milled double sovereigns were minted at double the weight of the ordinary sovereign.

These coins featured the same reverse design as the sovereign, Pistrucci's George and Dragon.

They were minted from 1823 onwards, during the reign of George IV.

The term "two pounds" is sometimes used to refer to these coins in coin catalogues, but they will be referred to as double sovereigns on this website.

The double sovereigns were minted up to the release of the two pound piece in 1980.

Hammered and Treble Sovereigns have a unique history. Some of these coins were made at double and triple thickness, like the piedfort sovereigns of Henry VII, which were likely experimental or VIP presentation pieces.

These coins have a high catalogue valuation, ranging from £52,500 to £185,000, depending on their grade. The valuation is a testament to their rarity and historical significance.

A few double sovereigns were minted during Henry VIII's reign, and they were probably patterns, according to Keynon. These coins don't always appear in general coin catalogues.

One double sovereign from Henry VIII's First Coinage weighed 480 grains, while another weighed a colossal 788.6 grains. This massive coin is nearly 2 troy ounces!

A third double sovereign, weighing 476 grains, was sold in 1844 for £30. This coin is a rare example of its kind.

A pattern double sovereign from Henry VIII's second coinage is thought to be unique. It weighs 470.1 grains and has distinctive mintmarks and markings.

Edward VI struck a treble sovereign in his second period coinage, which is believed to be a pattern existing in only one example. This coin weighs 508 4/17 grains and has a fineness of 22 carat.

The King on this coin holds a sword and is not wearing the "Royal robes", making it distinct from other coins.

The Double Sovereign coin is often associated with monarchs, particularly Queen Elizabeth II, who has been featured on the coin.

The coin's design is a nod to the monarch's role in British history, with the Royal Arms and other regal symbols prominently displayed.

One of the most iconic Double Sovereign coins features Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years and oversaw the expansion of the British Empire.

Henry VII 1485-1509 was a significant monarch in English history. He introduced changes to the coins issued during his reign, which differed from those of his predecessors.

The first mintmark of Henry VII's double sovereign coins was the fleur-de-lis, a symbol with European connections. It was used on coins in 1487.

The fleur-de-lis is linked with numerous European nations, most noticeably France.

The King George IV 1823 Gold Coin is a remarkable piece of British numismatics. It was the first gold coin of King George IV, featuring a portrait of the king in a modern interpretation by Johann Baptiste Merlen.

This coin is notable for being the only one to feature Merlen's portrait, which omitted the laurel wreath, a first for a British king since the Restoration. The reverse side of the coin, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci, depicts St George slaying the dragon.

The King George IV 1823 Gold Coin was also the only double sovereign of George IV's reign, and it was the only double sovereign for over sixty years, until the next one was issued in 1887. It was exactly twice the weight of the gold sovereign and was similarly struck in gold.

This coin was produced in a milled style, rather than hammered, giving it greater precision than older coins. Three varieties of the 1823 double sovereign are listed by Spink: Proof, Proof with "no JBM below truncation", and ordinary non-proof version with edge inscription.

William IV was a British monarch who produced a unique coin in 1831. This coin was a proof-only version of the double sovereign, also known as a gold two pound coin.

The double sovereign coin had a plain edge and was minted with an inverse die axis. This means that the design on the coin was mirrored from the usual orientation.

The reverse design of this coin featured a shield and mantle with a crown above, and the words "ANNO 1831" were inscribed on it.

The Victorian and Early 20th Century Issues are a fascinating area of study. The double sovereign was not produced again until 1887, when it appeared with the Victoria "Jubilee Head".

Many collectors have encountered forgeries of the 1887 Victoria Double Sovereign, some of which are very competent and difficult to detect. Anything that looks "too new" is potentially suspect.

A rare variation of the 1887 proof version exists, with no "B.P." designer's initials on the reverse. The "S" mintmark version for Sydney, Australia is also extremely rare, with a value in five figures.

Edward VII issued a 1902 double sovereign in 'ordinary', proof and "Sydney mint" versions, featuring an "S" mintmark above the center of the date on the reverse.

George V issued a 1911 double sovereign, but only proof versions exist and most remain in sets with other proof coins of that year.

Forgeries of this coin are known, making authentication challenging.

Edward VIII is an important figure in British history, and his impact on numismatics is still felt today. An extremely rare Edward VIII double sovereign exists, and it's considered a pattern coin since Edward VIII abdicated before it could be released.

This rare coin is listed by Coincraft with a value of £70,000, making it a highly sought-after collector's item.

Elizabeth II and Charles III have had their fair share of challenges as monarchs. Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years, making her the longest-reigning British monarch in history.

She faced many issues, including the decolonization of Africa and the decline of the British Empire. This had a significant impact on the monarchy's role and influence.

Elizabeth II's husband, Prince Philip, played a crucial role in modernizing the monarchy, but he also struggled with his own identity and sense of belonging. He was born into the Greek royal family but became a naturalized British citizen.

Charles III, on the other hand, has been a more modernizing force, using his position to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. He has also been involved in various charitable causes, including conservation and education.

His marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales, was a significant event in British history, but it also brought attention to the pressures and expectations placed on the royal family.